A GROUP of 60 Stratton Primary School children recently created a post-modern piece of ceramic art as part of their Art on our Doorstep project in Bude.

While at the Kitchen Front, on the canal, they discussed with owner Clair Roberts what the influences behind the business were.

They were also told about early 1950s art and artists like Lucienne Day, Marion Mahler and Sylvia Priestly, who illustrated wonderful patterns based on seed heads, plant skeletons and microscopic detail, which is currently on trend in wallpaper and fabrics.

The children all designed one image each based on this style and painted pieces of broken ceramic. They interpreted the work in their own way and painted broken bowls, cups, dishes and jugs.

The items were glazed and fired into an abstract piece, which is very large. There are more than 60 designs on this one piece, which took several firings and some help from wire to hold it all together.

Clair said: “I wasn’t sure if we could pull it off, but actually it is amazing. The children came along in groups of 15, and they were superb.

“The 1940s, 1950s and my Cornish coastline really inspires me in everything I create here. The fact that the children completely understood the microscopic trend of the early 1950s was great. I would say they produced a fabulous rendition of post-modern art. It looked so good, I kind of wanted to keep it here as a showpiece! So well done, the children!”

The artwork was presented to Stratton Primary School to keep as a reminder by the seven and eight-year-olds who took enormous interest and effort to produce the collaborative piece.

The Kitchen Front takes an active role in the community and provides special rates for community groups/schools wanting to do workshops. Contact Clair Roberts on 01288 350107 for details.